BERLIN — In advance of UEFA EURO 2024, the European football
championship to take place June 14-July 14 across Germany, the World Jewish Congress
(WJC) together with the German NGO WhatMatters today announced pioneering
initiatives aimed at leveraging the power of sports to combat antisemitism and
honor the memory of the Holocaust.
These efforts, part of WJC’s Together Through Sport
programming, leverage the universal language of sports to educate, remember and
inspire.
The initiative “Football and Memory” launches today,
connecting UEFA EURO 2024 attendees with the history of the Holocaust through
visits to local memorials and former concentration camps. Developed in partnership
with the German Football Association’s (DFB) Cultural Foundation, “Football and
Memory” reflects on history by using sport as a bridge to the past. Special
programming at each site will highlight the interconnectedness of sports,
history and memory. A website, available before and during the tournament, will also link visitors to host cities where
memorials and museums are located.
Commenting on the importance of the project and associated
events, DFB President Bernd Neuedorf said, “during the UEFA EURO 2024 we will
commemorate the time of National Socialism and the many victims of German
crimes.” He added, “I would particularly like to thank the many memorial and
remembrance locations involved for their commitment. Together, we can help to
ensure that the UEFA EURO 2024 tournament will have a special impact on
society.”
Starting May 23 and continuing through July, the World
Jewish Congress will host a dynamic public exhibit, “Sports. Crowds. Power.”
at the Sports Museum on the grounds of the 1936 Summer Olympics, when the
Nazis were in power. The site is adjacent to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium which
will host the finals of this summer’s tournament.
“Sports. Crowds. Power.” explores the nefarious
role of sports under National Socialism and delves into how the Nazis
manipulated sports to consolidate power, the tragic impact of the Holocaust on
European Jewish athletes and sporting clubs, and the contemporary role of
sports in combating antisemitism. Additional information about this initiative
will be made available in the coming weeks.
“In the shadow of history, sport represents not just a field
of play, but a vital arena for memory, education and the fight against
antisemitism,” said WJC President Ronald S. Lauder. “Through initiatives such
as ‘Football and Memory’ and ‘Sports. Crowds. Power.,’ we are able to harness
the universal language of sports to both remember the past and build a future
free of hatred. These programs not only underscore our belief in the power of
sports to unite and educate; they remind us that the lessons of history are as
relevant on the playing field as they are in the classrooms and memorials
around the world.”
UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, consists of
the national football associations of Europe, as well as of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan and Turkey.
About Together Through Sports:
WJC’s Together Through Sports initiative was unveiled at a 2023
United Nations Human Rights Council side event in Geneva. Operating with the
support of WhatMatters and a broad network of partners, the WJC works to
implement activities focused on sports, antisemitism, and Holocaust
remembrance. Over recent years, this initiative has spawned numerous
activities, including regular trainings and public events organized by the
German Football League, as well as workshops in collaboration with stakeholders
in the sports sector in the Netherlands, Austria, and elsewhere.
About the World Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.
